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Topic: praise for the old house books (Read 2073 times)

I have been rereading the old house books from the 80s. These are amazing, particularly the history section. Was there anything else in gaming at that time that outlined that much? It is a 1000 year history of over 5 different factions. I think in ways they went unmatched until recently.

Are there any accounts of their writing? I would love to have a window into that time.

when I got my hands on the 25th anniversary book, I thought it would be filled with insights such as this. It's a beautiful book and most of the fluff in it is top grade but I was kind of disappointed that we didn't see more of the behind the scenes and kind of the impact battletech had on the gaming industry and stuff like that (kind of a making of?)

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"Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."

I have been rereading the old house books from the 80s. These are amazing, particularly the history section. Was there anything else in gaming at that time that outlined that much? It is a 1000 year history of over 5 different factions. I think in ways they went unmatched until recently.

Are there any accounts of their writing? I would love to have a window into that time.

Once I asked a similar question:

Quote

<martian>: This is not exactly a question about products, but are you in contact with Jordan Weisman, Ross Babcock or any other BattleTech veteran from founding years? Are they still interested in CBT?<Habeas2>: Martian - I, personally, am in contact with neither Jordan nor Ross (though I have met Jordan from time to time at GenCon). I imagine they have interest of some form or another with BT (in as much as anyone has interest in the places where they used to work), but how much or how little is entirely variable.

"Lord Kurita is merciful. You will be spared the humiliation of a trial. Instead, you are invited to dine with your sainted ancestors. You don't follow? Let me rephrase. I am about to run you through with my sword. Now you get the picture? Good."

While I like them for their detail, I hate them for their detail. Or at least I hate them for their lack of consistency with regards to the detail. So many problems.

With so many stories and details in every book; as a fan, there was simple too much to take in all at once to notice many contradictions. It was simply a great way to layer the whole atmosphere to the game while giving the universe a sense of depth while it was actually kinda shallow in some parts (we don't talk about fasanomics)

With so many stories and details in every book; as a fan, there was simple too much to take in all at once to notice many contradictions. It was simply a great way to layer the whole atmosphere to the game while giving the universe a sense of depth while it was actually kinda shallow in some parts (we don't talk about fasanomics)

I love the detail and could live with the contradictions when spotted.

I have the Star League, House Steiner, and House Kurita books. I read the Star League book... it's incredible. I'm glad I have the Steiner and Kurita book because of my interest in the Free Rasalhauge Republic. I plan on reading them very soon.

I came to BattleTech too late (post-Tukayyid) to read them physically, but my eyes popped open upon reading the free versions that used to be here. The Handbooks are worth continuations, and also why it saddens me that things like Handbook: House Kurita were so delayed.

I agree. Consistency isn't mostly (isn't even mainly) about corresponding facts. The authors of the five House books, plus Star League and Periphery created a sprawling setting that made sense in toto. The mood of the work is consistent. That's hard to do, even for a single author within a single book.

BattleTech is pastiche. It treats man as a tragic figure, history as a dirge that rhymes, ambition as folly, glory as madness, peace as a soap bubble in a storm. And yet it laughs. It's probably the only game that makes you a better person just by playing.

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"Lord Kurita is merciful. You will be spared the humiliation of a trial. Instead, you are invited to dine with your sainted ancestors. You don't follow? Let me rephrase. I am about to run you through with my sword. Now you get the picture? Good."

The old Handbooks are awesome. I also love the newer Handbook Series (and should purchase more of them, definitely looking forward to the new House Kurita one). Major Periphery States is one I enjoy thoroughly.

BattleTech is pastiche. It treats man as a tragic figure, history as a dirge that rhymes, ambition as folly, glory as madness, peace as a soap bubble in a storm. And yet it laughs. It's probably the only game that makes you a better person just by playing.

That's not only poetic, but absolutely dead-on. Well done sir!

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"There's a difference between the soldier and his fight,But the warrior knows the true meaning of his life."+Larry and his Flask, 'Blood Drunk'+"You know, basically war is just, like, a bunch of people playing pranks on each other, but at the end they all die."